Epilogue:

Eliza slowly placed her hands behind her back and breathed slowly as she watched the fire within the room burn. The glow created shadows on the wall that Eliza couldn't stop staring at, thinking it was something else. She slowly turned her attention to the very centre of the room her eyes narrowing slightly in a small amount of sadness.

Many times since returning from Lehon she had thought about what had happened. She was pleased that most people made it out alive and relatively uninjured but the one death still made her question the events of that day. Part of her did regret following Luminara and Eeth into the Temple but Desaevio was gone. Didn't that count for something?

Eliza glanced over at Luminara. Eliza remembered when she entered the Temple that she didn't see her. Of course, she now knew why though. She had been injured and eventually got away from Desaevio. Luminara had said if she hadn't come running into the Temple after them then he probably would have killed her although she did give Eliza a stern lecture about running in there without knowing what dangers lurked inside. Eliza knew in that moment she had acted rashly but it worked out well. She didn't think there much point in talking about it after the fact.

She continued looking around the room and saw all the people that were there that day also. They seemed in good health now and Eliza was glad of it. The last person she glanced at was Kit. He stood rigidly beside her. She allowed herself a small smile before looking back at the centre of the room. As she watched Eeth Koth's body burn she suddenly remembered how it felt to be in here last time.

He was a good Jedi and had given Eliza advice and provided her with a small amount of comfort, even though it went unnoticed at the time. Eliza kept her eyes still but frowned faintly as her feelings on Lehon came back to her. She had momentarily thought that she would have to go through this again. Have yet another Master die on her and have to move on and start training with someone else or be expelled from the order.

A faint shudder travelled through her body as she thought of the possibility of having to watch her Master's body burn. It would have been her fault. She had run into the Temple without taking much notice of what she was doing and since she was still his Padawan he felt responsible so he came after her. Eliza hated to think how she would be feeling now if things had turned out different and Kit had died from his injuries.

As the fire died down and the funeral ended Eliza walked from the small room with Kit by her side. Many things between them remained unspoken since returning to Coruscant although he did have a few choice things to say about her actions on Lehon but Eliza felt better when he said he was proud of how she handled herself in the end.

Without looking at her Kit sighed lightly and opened his mouth slowly. 'Are you alright, Padawan?'

Slowly, Eliza nodded her head. 'Yes, I am, Master,' she said quietly. 'Why do you ask?'

'I just sense that you feel uneasy,' said Kit quietly. 'It couldn't have been easy to attend but I am sure you'll be happy you did.'

'I couldn't help but think of Master Lestin,' she blurted out unexpectedly.

Kit smiled faintly. 'I know,' he said consciously. 'It is normal. I'm sure he would be proud of you.'

Eliza felt her head nod but she wasn't sure if she was doing it.

Eliza breathed deeply as she thought of what was about to happen. Nervousness was cursing through her veins and she exhaled slowly, trying to relax. She made sure she pulled her Padawan braid forward and she straightened her Jedi robes. She held her lightsaber in her hand and when the time came she moved forwards, taking careful and cautious steps.

She walked through the large doorway and into a circular chamber that was reminiscent of the Jedi High Council chamber. She saw large pillars either side of her and she could see twelve senior Jedi surrounding her, including her Master. Eliza made a mental note in her head not to look in any of their directions.

'Step forward, Padawan,' said Yoda clearly.

She continued forwards and came to a stop in the very centre of the room and slowly the light in the room darkened. Master Yoda watched the proceedings and he slowly walked towards Eliza, his eyes watching her vigilantly.

Eliza knelt in front of Yoda on one knee, placed her lightsaber before her and bowed her head. Yoda took hold his own lightsaber. The twelve Jedi surrounding them ignited their lightsabers and held them vertically in front of them. Yoda then ignited his and placed it carefully over Eliza's shoulder and again he spoke clearly and his voice echoed lightly.

'Elysabeth Linth, by the right of the Council, by the will of the Force, dub thee I do, Jedi Knight of the Republic.'

Eliza felt a small shiver run through her as her Padawan braid was cut and she watched it float gracefully to the floor. She smiled faintly and slowly stood. All lightsabers in the room turned off and Yoda picked up her lightsaber and held it out to her gently. Eliza gently took hold of it and bowed to Yoda who returned it with a slight head nod.

As the Coruscant sky slowly turned to night Eliza walked through the hallways searching for her Master. There were a few things she wanted to discuss with him before she went any further as Jedi. After only a couple of days as a Jedi Knight, Eliza was sent on a small solo mission of her own to Dantooine, though the matter seemed to dissolve as soon as she got there.

She knew Kit was around somewhere and all she had to do was find him. She checked the gardens but he wasn't there. One of the last places she checked was the Training Room. She entered and saw Kit there speaking to a group of very young Padawan's. Eliza watched as she waited for him to finish.

Eliza crossed her arms over her chest loosely as she watched. A faint smile appeared on her face as she watched them interact. The young Padawan's seemed more than eager to have a Jedi Master tell them things. Once they had finished the Padawan's left the room together chatting happily. Kit looked up and their eyes met. A wide smile graced his lips and he walked to Eliza.

'Congratulations on becoming a Jedi Knight,' he said happily.

'All thanks to your training,' admitted Eliza.

'Don't be so modest,' said Kit quickly, placing a hand on her shoulder. 'You were the one who killed Darth Desaevio,' he added.

He removed his hand and they left the Training Room and went for a walk around the Temple. Eliza had spoken to Kit but this was the first time they've had to have a proper talk and Eliza was finally very glad for it.

'Master, there were a few things I wanted to talk about.'

Kit gave her another happy smile and he silently gestured for her to continue. Eliza glanced at him with a small smile and she took a slow and quiet deep breath. 'Sometimes I feel as though it was an accident or some great stroke of luck that I defeated Darth Desaevio. I should have lost. I almost did, a couple of times, actually.'

'Some things are not always known to us, Eliza,' said Kit. Eliza glanced at him in surprise at the use of her name. Kit noticed it too but he continued. 'I believe you fought righteously in the battle.'

'But you're far more experience than I am,' said Eliza quickly, feeling very unsure of herself.

'You should discuss this with Master Kenobi,' said Kit looking ahead. 'He defeated Darth Maul after his Master had been killed and he was only a Padawan at the time. It does happen.'

'You believe I was worthy to win?'

'Yes, I am sure of it,' said Kit simply.

There was silence for only a moment. 'Master, even though Desaevio is gone, will Count Dooku find another for an apprentice?'

'I am not sure,' said Kit slowly. 'He could but we will try and make sure that doesn't happen.'

'What happened after General Grievous left Endex? We haven't heard anything of him yet.'

'Patience,' said Kit lightly. 'We cannot expect to get rid of all evil at once.'

Eliza smiled faintly as she nodded. 'Will you take another Padawan, Master?' she asked curiously.

Kit chuckled softly. 'No, I do not think so,' he replied. 'I've now had three and I think my own patience and time is wearing too thin to take on another one.'

They shared a minor chuckle together and they continued their walk around the Temple. After a few moments of silence Eliza could only think of one more thing to ask Kit. She had planned on asking after Eeth's funeral but it didn't seem appropriate.

'Master,' she said slowly. 'Do you feel remorse over Darth Desaevio's death?'

Eliza noticed Kit's face hardened at the question. He exhaled slowly but he did answer her question. 'Yes,' he said quietly. 'I will admit that his death has saddened me but I know it was necessary. Tobias was a proud, stubborn man and I know he would have stopped at nothing. I regret not seeing the signs earlier. It seems so clear when I think about it now.'

Eliza cast her sight downwards momentarily as they continued their leisurely walk. She slowly glanced at Kit before looking ahead again. In a way, he had lost an old friend but he had kept his silence. Eliza wondered if that was the difference between them. He was always calm and saw the lighter side of things but Eliza knew she was a little different.

Silence remained between them for much longer this time. Eliza glanced at him briefly once more as her thoughts lingered on their conversation. She inhaled deeply and looked around her surroundings. She knew things were going to become more difficult now that she was a Knight but Eliza only hoped that she was ready to face them.

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